Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-24
THE HARLAN MURDER.
Preparations Being Made for the
- Examinations.


There was nothing particularly new
or interesting yesterday in the Harlan
murder case, which has attracted so
much attention lately. The plain
statement of Chief Darcy, as published
in the HERALD, set at rest the theo-
rizing of those who had taken an in
terest III the case, SO far as the story of
the murder from the view of the
prosecution goes, but the grounds for
Hattie Woolsteen's defense being un-
known, are subjects OF considerable
comment upon all sides. 1t seems to
be admitted upon all sides that but
little will be developed at the prelimi-
nary examination on Tuesday next,
especially on the side of the defence,
for it is not probable that Hattie's
attorneys will introduce any testi-
mony. They are confident, however,
that che will not be held to
answer, since, so far as they
can learn, but little of what has
been published will be allowed to be
introduced as evidence, and that little
is claimed to be purely circumstantial.
On the other hand Chief Darcy is
confident that he has unearthed
enough evidence to hold Hattie and
to secure her conviction. He, as well
as Sergeant Jeffries, is indignant at
the charges OF improper conduct
which have been made against him,
which he says are without the least
foundation in truth and which he is
prepared to prove, so lar as Is posi-
ble, are utterly false.
Miss Woolsteen passed very quiet,
and under the circumstances, pleasant
day at the Jail yesterday in company
with her sister Minnie, who called
early in the morning and remained
during the day, no one else being al
lowed admittance. She is improving
in appearance and appetite, and is
not now subject to those fainting or
dizzy spells Of which she at first com
pfained and which were caused by the
poison she had taken with suicidal
intent.
1t was learned that the kilograms
which had been received by the girls
from their father, some few days
since, III which he wished to know if
the reports he had heard OF the crime
were true, had been answered by let
ter by them, in which it was stated
that the reports were true.
1t is thought by those whose posi-
tions with respect to the affair enable
them to know, that the father will ar
rive in few days, when sensational
developments may be looked for, as
he is known to be a very self-willed
man, and one who will carry his point
at whatever cost to himself or adyer-
saries.
Col. G. Wiley Wells, the attorney
Of the accused girl, when seen bv Il
HERALD reporter, talked at great
length of the affair, reviewing its en-
tire history and going back into the
career of the girls when residents OF
Peoria, Illinois.
He expressed himself as deeply in
terested in the case, not so much from
legal point of view, as for his COM
miseration for the girl who, he said,
had been abandoned by friends and
accused ON all sides OF an awful crime.
'tThe rumor that Hattie had stolen a
school bond from Mrs. Barbery," said
the Colonel, sis absurd and untrue as
many OF the other sensational rumors
which have been circulated. Hattie's
acquaintance with Mrs Barbery, was
at best very slight, and dates from a
period shortly after her arrival in this
city. The girls were rooming at the
house kept by Mrs. Dillon and Mrs.
Barbery was roomer at the house
also, and whilst the lady was sick the
girls lent what aid they could in car
ing for her, and that was The extent OF
their acquaintance.
''Mr. Miner very kindly consented
to 20 with me to the jail for the pur-
pose OF identifying Hattie as the one
who presented the bond at the bank,
but he assured me that he had never
seen the girl before that time, while
Hattie stated that Mr.. Miner was an
entire stranger to her."
Mr.. Wells then went on to tell how
the watch had come into the posses,
sion of the girl, stating that she had
received it as a consideration IRON
Harlan when he became aware that
she had discovered that he was a
married man.
MIR. Wells thought that he would be
preparcd to go on with the case before
Justice Austin on Tuesday, and ex-
presses himself as perfectly satisfied
Of the girls innocence and seemed
qe;tc confident of clearing her.